U.P. plans hi-tech shield against CBRN threats

Drawing lessons from Parliament security protocols, the Uttar Pradesh government is working closely with agencies like the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) to design a multi-layered safety mechanism for safeguarding key installations, the state assembly, and VIPs from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats, according to senior officials aware of the development.
The state government initiated the process when senior officials visited the recently-held three-day 'AeroDef India Manufacturing Expo', a major aerospace and defence manufacturing exhibition, in New Delhi from May 1 to 3. The state authorities also had an interaction with the U.S. department of homeland security, and recent security technology exchanges during a visit by U.S. senator JD Vance to the Taj Mahal in Agra.
These robots, based on French technology, will offer day and night surveillance capabilities and can be deployed in high-risk zones such as assembly premises, airports, or during major public events. The state felt a sense of urgency in adopting the advanced technologies after the recent conflict with Pakistan leading to international tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Senior government officials requesting anonymity said that the proposed CBRN setup is part of a broader effort to strengthen internal security in light of recent geopolitical tensions, particularly with Pakistan. The initiative also builds on recent steps taken by the state government to secure the U.P. assembly complex.
Notably, CBRN threats pose a significant risk due to their potential for widespread harm, long-term health effects, and psychological impact. These threats are characterised by their low probability but high impact, often manifesting in accidental releases or intentional attacks. The CBRN incidents can be airborne, waterborne, foodborne, or through contaminated soil, making detection and response challenging.
Under the envisioned CBRN safety net, multiple technologies will be integrated to detect and neutralise threats like viruses, spores, and toxins. A single setup may cost up to ₹10 crore, according to initial estimates.
'Consultations are ongoing with the DRDO, ECIL, U.P. Police, paramilitary forces, and both state and national disaster management authorities. An evaluation by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is also being considered as part of the plan,' they said, adding the system will be used for VIP and VVIP security, and during high-profile visits and events at strategic sites across the state.
'It will be based on technology from foreign countries, either the U.S. or France,' officials said.
Earlier this year, the traditional vehicle stickers for MLAs, MLCs and other visitors were replaced with RFID tags after reports of fraudulent access using tampered passes emerged.
During a state assembly session on March 5, speaker Satish Mahana highlighted the security concerns, saying: 'It has come to our notice that fake vehicle passes are being created by tampering with those issued by the assembly secretariat. This is a serious security concern, and the matter has been referred to the state's purchasing department for investigation.'
The advanced robotic surveillance devices can be deployed in high-risk zones such as assembly premises, airports, or during major public events. Each robot, costing around ₹80 lakh, is designed to access hard-to-reach and hazardous zones without endangering human lives. With a range of up to 90 metres, these wheeled devices can scan vehicles -- even go underneath them -- for potential explosives, and are equipped to traverse stairs, rough terrains, and confined spaces.
'Robot-based threat assessments can significantly reduce the need for human intervention in danger zones,' a senior official said. 'Conventional wars and threats are a thing of the past now. We have to move past those trends and be future-ready,' the official added.
If implemented, Uttar Pradesh will become the first state police force in India to adopt a Parliament-style integrated security model against CBRN and explosive threats, the senior official noted.
With inputs from PTI

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

an hour ago

• Time of India

Iran Israel war: Iranian President warns 'devastating' response, vows to continue nuclear activity

Iran's health ministry on Saturday gave a toll of more than 400 people killed and 3,056 in the Israeli strikes. Iran's retaliatory strikes have killed at least 25 people in Israel, according to official figures. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian warned Saturday that his country's response to continued Israeli "aggression" will be "more devastating", as fighting raged between the two foes for a ninth day. President Masoud Pezeshkian said that his country will not halt nuclear activity "under any circumstances" amid ongoing fighting with Israel which hit nuclear sites."Our response to the continued aggression of the Zionist regime will be more devastating," said Pezeshkian during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to the official IRNA news agency, AFP reported."We are ready to discuss and cooperate to build confidence in the field of peaceful nuclear activities, however, we do not agree to reduce nuclear activities to zero under any circumstances," said Pezeshkian during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to the official IRNA news and Iran have traded wave after wave of devastating strikes since Israel launched its aerial campaign on June 13, saying Tehran was on the verge of developing a nuclear denies seeking an atomic bomb, and on Saturday Pezeshkian said its right to pursue a civilian nuclear programme "cannot be taken away... by threats or war".A US-based NGO, the Human Rights Activists News Agency, said on Friday that based on its sources and media reports at least 657 people have been killed in Iran, including 263 health ministry on Saturday gave a toll of more than 400 people killed and 3,056 in the Israeli strikes. Iran's retaliatory strikes have killed at least 25 people in Israel, according to official figures.A1. President of Iran is Masoud Pezeshkian.A2. Iran's health ministry on Saturday gave a toll of more than 400 people killed and 3,056 in the Israeli strikes. Iran's retaliatory strikes have killed at least 25 people in Israel, according to official figures.

Time of India

an hour ago

• Time of India

NATO breaking apart? Italy questions military alliance's existence after Macron shows Trump, France can secure Europe

The debate around the existence of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) has again heated up after Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said on Friday, June 20, 2025, that the military alliance no longer has a reason to exist. Crosetto made the remarks on the sidelines of a conference in Padua, according to Italian news agency ANSA.'Before, the US and Europe used to be the center of the world, now, there is everything else with which a relationship must be built,' Politico reported him as saying. He further stated, 'We often talk as if we were still living 30 years ago, but everything has changed.' In the last few years, the US' stance about sticking around with the alliance has also been seen shaking up as President Donald Trump has on several occasions warned that he is open to moving out of NATO. Trump, since his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025, has constantly complained for a long time the European and Canadian governments in the mutual-defense bloc are freeloading on military spending by Washington. In an interview in December 2024 after winning the US presidential election, Trump was asked if he would consider the possibility of pulling out of NATO. Trump indicated that was an open question. 'If they're paying their bills, and if I think they're treating us fairly, the answer is absolutely I'd stay with NATO,' he told 'Meet the Press.' On being asked about considering pulling the U.S. out of the alliance. Trump had said, 'Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely.' Live Events On the other hand, French President Emmanuel Macron said in May 2025 that he was ready to hold a discussion regarding the potential deployment of his country's nuclear weapons elsewhere in Europe. He had noted that the United States had already stationed nuclear-armed aircraft in Europe. Macron shared a post on X for the rest of Europe saying the Rafale fighter jet is calling. His post on Friday, June 20, 2025, showed an Apple iPhone with an incoming call from 'Rafale' and a close-up of the jet arcing over barren and rocky land. Now the Italian defense minister's comments ahead of the NATO leaders' summit in The Hague have raised fresh doubts about the unity of NATO partners. At the summit, the alliance is likely to give its agreement on a higher spending target of 5 percent of GDP to placate Trump. According to Crosetto, NATO has failed in its original mission. 'If NATO was created to guarantee peace and mutual defense, it must either become an organization that takes on this task by engaging with the Global South, and thus become something profoundly different, or we will not achieve the goal of having security within rules that apply to everyone,' he said. French President Macron's pitch to deploy nuclear weapons in Europe It all started in March 2025, when the French President proposed holding talks with European allies regarding how French nuclear weapons could help protect Europe. His comments had come at a time when many European leaders felt that they could no longer rely on Washington's nuclear commitment to Europe as Moscow's threat loomed large. The French President's X post made on Friday seems to be his latest attempt towards sending a loud and clear message to the rest of Europe about strengthening the combined defenses and acting independently on matters of continental security to reduce dependence on Washington.

First Post

2 hours ago

• First Post

Iran president says nuclear activity ‘will not halt under any circumstances', warns of ‘more devastating' response to Israel

Pezeshkian warned that his country's response to continued Israeli 'aggression' will be 'more devastating', as fighting raged between the two foes for a ninth day. read more Rocket trails are seen in the sky above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya amid a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks on June 21, 2025. Photo- AFP Iran will not halt nuclear activity 'under any circumstances', Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday amid ongoing fighting with Israel which hit nuclear sites. 'We are ready to discuss and cooperate to build confidence in the field of peaceful nuclear activities, however, we do not agree to reduce nuclear activities to zero under any circumstances,' said Pezeshkian during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to the official IRNA news agency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pezeshkian warned that his country's response to continued Israeli 'aggression' will be 'more devastating', as fighting raged between the two foes for a ninth day. 'Our response to the continued aggression of the Zionist regime will be more devastating,' said Pezeshkian during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to the official IRNA news agency. He also said that his country's right to pursue a civilian nuclear programme cannot be taken away by war, as it traded fire with Israel for a ninth day. 'Iran has always announced that it is ready to provide guarantees and build confidence in its peaceful nuclear activities within the framework of international law,' Pezeshkian told French President Emmanuel Macron in a phone call, according to the official IRNA news agency. 'The rights granted to countries and nations by international law cannot be taken away from them by threats or war.' Talks in Geneva on Friday failed to produce a breakthrough. European officials expressed hope for future discussions. Iran's foreign minister said he was open to further dialogue while emphasizing that Tehran had no interest in negotiating with the U.S. while Israel continues to attack. 'Iran is ready to consider diplomacy once again, and once aggression is stopped and the aggressor is held accountable for the crimes committed,' he told reporters. No date was set for a new round of talks. For many Iranians, updates remained difficult. Internet-access advocacy group said Saturday that limited internet access had again 'collapsed.' A nationwide internet shutdown has been in place for several days. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies